ATN Mastclimber Bosun's Chair

Product Description

The only bosun’s chair that allows solo, unassisted ascents of the mast, the Mastclimber fits over any taut 3/8" to 5/8" rope halyard. Constructed from 1 1/2" ballistic nylon webbing with a fiberglass-reinforced seat, Mastclimber combines a bosun’s chair and leg straps with a pair of one-way anodized aluminum/stainless jammers, located at the chair seat and the intersection of the leg straps. Climb the mast quickly and safely using only leg muscles. With no need for static lines, the easy-to-use climber is operated by alternatively standing up on the leg straps, which allows you to slide up the one-way jammer of the bosun’s chair. To descend the mast, the procedure is reversed. Recommended by Practical Sailor in June 2010. Maximum waist size 50".

A few months ago, I purchased a West Marine chair (good product, solid) on a 6:1 block and tackle purchase. I can pull myself up easily and safely but can't get my head over the top of mast due to block and tackle setup. Purchased ATN for that sole purpose - get body over the top of the mast to work effectively.I am 53yrs old, 5',8", 175lbs. Had two people assist me first time. Took me over 30 min to get up 43ft mast. Exhausted ! ATN Hardware kept banging against mast and caused severe scratches down to the aluminum. Once at the top, shoes kept sliding out of narrow foot strap webbing, as I tried to work and keep my balance, giving me huge scares (came down immediately). While articulating the required body movements to inch my way up and down the mast, my feet slid out of the small loops, forcing me to stop and concentrate on wiggling my feet back into the loops, that tend to fly in the breeze. Coming down was as difficult as going up. Body process is identical. No easier than going up!Gave the system to the two others to try. One made it to the spreaders 20ft up, the other refused to use it - both my age and build.ATN is a mountaineering based system and should be understood as such - for those who are trained to climb and in very good shape (both upper and lower body). On a swaying boat, the process is very unstable and even more difficult.BTW, mast will need to be painted ($$$$ !! ). Should have heeded the bad product reviews in the various cruising forums, and not purchased. Would recommend WM take a serious look at ATN.I and those who helped me, did watch the ATN video various times, just before I went up the mast, to make sure we were going to do it correctly.On the other hand it could be that I lack the coordination to properly use the product.

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Thank you for your thoughtful review and we're sorry that this product didn't work for you. If there's anything we can do for you in this regard then please consider contacting our Customer Care Department at 1-800-262-8464 so we can try to resolve your problem. (International customers please email wminternational@westmarine.com or call 1-831-761-4800).

We've previously tried using a standard bosun's chair (her going up and me hauling her there) and took several weeks recovering from the effort. After much research, we bought the Mastclimber and were delighted with how much easier it was to use. No qualms at all in recommending it for others, you just need some strong leg muscles getting up and down the mast.